Working Smarter, Not Just Harder: Three Sensible Strategies for Succeeding in College...and Life

by Karl Reid, Rick Horowitz (Editor)

College presents a whole set of challenges. Even students who excelled in high school will struggle. Going in confident only to be faced with uncertainty can be difficult, but with a bit of strategy, you can learn to be back on top in no time.

In this guide to relearning how to learn, engineer and educator Dr. Karl W. Reid reveals his “Deep Dive” learning method, which he’s taught to hundreds of students as a mentor, director of programs, and college dean. The approach originated with his own experience and developed with research. After graduating near the top of his class, Reid headed off to MIT with high expectations. After a distressing failing grade, he realized his old study habits weren’t enough.

This book illustrates how making three specific “shifts” will help you succeed in college: The first one, The Attitude Shift, focuses on developing a new mindset about your intellectual ability, and about the importance of confidence -- and how to rebuild it -- especially after you suffer setbacks. The Connection Shift shows how to engage your faculty members, administrators and peers on campus, all of whom are necessary to de-mystify the college experience and produce a more fulfilling holistic experience. And finally, The Behavior Shift offers practical steps for improving your grades and deepening your learning. It provides the rationale behind, and the steps toward developing the kind of comprehensive approach that has helped other students succeed.

By applying these “shifts,” you’ll learn how to work smarter, and you’ll see to it that your grades and overall satisfaction with your college -- and work experience -- dramatically improve.

If you’re willing to put in the work, this plan will get you through.

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2017

Reviews

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having the opportunity to meet Karl in person last year, I became interested in reading more of his writing. He's incredibly sharp and has the unique ability to meet people where they are in life. That shows in this book; it's written with very clear and straight forward language that communicates his message.
I definitely wish I had read this book before starting college-- it's pretty straight forward and offers advice I would've benefitted from hearing sooner (especially in regards to building relationships with faculty 😥).

[Ava Lyall · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an engineering student who was at the top of my class in high school and got reality checked big time in my first semester of college, this was SO helpful. Confirmed a lot of the things I have learned so far (through 3 semesters of my degree so far), and helped me to think about some other things I could do to help myself more. Definitely recommend, especially to any future engineers out there!

[Bhagyashree Jaipuria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read with simple but effective tips to make the most of college environment. Applicable in every walk of life. Must read in the early days of life of exams , assignments, projects..